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[Ray]

My first project is to replace the seat in my 67 GMC pickup. I am shooting for a more modern look like second pic. Since I will need to contour the foam for the back and seat, could I not just remove the coil spings on the back and replace with webbing of some sort?

[Mikesimpson]

Ditching the stock springs on those seats is one of the best ways to go in my opinion. You can make the backrest foam much thinner that way and that will allow you to sit further back from the steering wheel. I get rid of the springs, then get some band iron and weld that in from top to bottom to give the foam some support. I also run a piece of jute webbing from side to side. Then I make a cover that slips snugly over the whole backrest frame work. That will give you something flat and solid to attach your new foam to. But it will also give a little so the foam won’t feel super stiff. The first one I did like this I used plywood In place of the springs, but this makes the seat very heavy and makes the foam stiffer.

[Ray]

Thanks for the info Mike! That is very close to what I was thinking. Did you leave the springs on the seat or replace them also?

[Mikesimpson]

It depends on the style of springs is has on the bottom. Do you have a picture of yours? Normally on the 67-69 seat frames you have to use a wood base because of the style of springs they used. but on the 70-72 frames you can reuse the the factory zig zag style springs.

[Ray]

Here is what my bottom frame.

20220315_172313.jpg (1.13 MiB) Viewed 3605 times

20220315_172307.jpg (1.22 MiB) Viewed 3605 times

[Mikesimpson]

I would do away with those outer springs that stick up higher than the rest. Then you will have a flat surface to start with. Keeping the rest of the stock spring system will make for a nicer ride than using a solid wood base. I run a row or two of jute webbing from side to side to stiffen it up a little bit, that’s just my personal preference. Then I do a layer of upholstery vinyl over the springs, then a layer of jute carpet padding. Then on top of that you can do your foam. I use 2.2 density 50lb compression foam for the bottom cushion. Here’s the bottom of a C10 seat I just finished.

[Sully]

I just did this to a 62 Apache seat last week. For the back rest, remove all the coils and you'll be left with a vertical grid that will be able to support the foam. You could tack weld in the horizontal rods, or use webbing across if you require more support. For the bottom cushion, I did the exact same as Mike Simpson posted.

@Mikesimpson I like the Relaxed Atmosphere parking only sign in the background The Apache seat I just did was for a member.

[Ray]

Thanks for the input guys!

[John]

Yep I agree as well. Ditch the springs if you dont care about restoring everything to original. Springs are not as comfortable. There are many ways to create a base for the foam as others have mentioned and it all depends on the situation and what will work best. Just to ad another option In the past I have screwed plywood to the frame and them put foam on top.

Cant wait to see the finished seat!